Search for tag "Teaching Plans"

The years 1921 to 1936 were labelled by the Guardian as a "Period of Preparation" during which there were no concerted plans of action assigned to national communities.

“Its initiation, (The Tablets of the Divine Plan) officially and on a vast scale, had, for well nigh twenty years, been held in abeyance, while the processes of a slowly emerging administrative Order, were, under the unerring guidance of Providence, creating and perfecting the agencies for its efficient and systematic prosecution.” [WOB78]

"A Plan of Unified Action to Spread the Bahá'í Cause Throughout the United States and Canada January 1, 1926-December 31, 1928" was formulated by The National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada in response to Shoghi Effendi's message to the annual National Convention. [BA86-89]

It can be found at [Plan] The goals were (1) to unify the American Bahá'í community's efforts, (2) to increase the number of Bahá'ís, (3) to "penetrate the consciousness of the public with the spirit of Bahá'u'lláh", and (4) to raise $400,000 so that the construction of the first unit of the Temple's superstructure could begin. [SBBR14p160, BFA1p110]

This was the first of two Plans developed by the North American National Assembly in the years from 1926 to 1934 the second being "A New Plan of Unified Action To complete the Bahá'í Temple and promote the Cause in America (1931-1934)". [SBBR14p155-197]

The above two plans were the first to have the expansion and development of the Bahá'í community as a primary goal and it is likely that they provided the model for other plans organized by Shoghi Effendi and other National Assemblies. [SBBR14p155]

The first Plan of Unified Action indicates the ascendancy of those Bahá'ís who supported a centralizing authority over those who wanted a more amorphous system or no organization at all.[BiW177-8]

For an essay on this subject see "Some Aspects of the Establishment of the Guardianship" by Dr Loni Bramson-Lerche in SBBR5p253-293

During the years of these two plans the National Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States and Canada developed practices commonly used in subsequent plans, organized propagation, a central budget and the modern form of the Nineteen Day Feast. [SBBR14p160]

India and Burma launched a Four and One-Half Year Plan, Indian 4½ Year Plan. (1946-1951) [Ruhi 8.2 p46]

The goals were:
- To increase the number of Local Assemblies from 21 to 63
- To give special attention to areas marked by sharp cultural and political divisions
As the plan unfolded, the National Assembly added the following additional goals:
- To publish the Esslemont book - ‘Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era’ in eighteen new languages
- To acquire a National Hazíratu’l-Quds in New Delhi
- To carry the Bahá’í message to Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand

The Bahá'ís of Iran launched a Forty-five Month Plan, the Persian 45 Month Plan ( 11 October 1946 to 9 July 1950, The Centenary of the Martyrdom of the Báb). Every province had specific assignments. [BBRSM158; CB316]
The objectives of the plan included;

1. Consolidation of all local Bahá'í communities.

2. Reestablishment of 62 dissolved Assemblies. (93 LSAs formed)

3. Formation of 22 groups. (37 established)

4. Creation of 13 new centres. (24 localities established)

5. Development of Assemblies from groups in three adjoining countries, namely in Kabul, Afghanistan, Mecca, Arabia and Bahrein Island, Persian Gulf.

6. The formation of groups in four localities on the Arabian Peninsula.

7. The sending pioneers to India and 'Iráq to assist in the formation of new groups.

The Bahá'ís of Tehran were called upon to send out 50 families into the pioneer field. (160 arose) Every individual Bahá'í was included in the operation of the Plan-as a volunteer, by deputizing a pioneer, by contributing funds, by circuit teaching or by providing hospitality to students whose parents had become pioneers. [BW4p34-35; BW11p34-36]

Concurrent with the Forty-Five Month Plan the Bahá'ís of Iran made a concerted effort to remove Bahá'í women from the traditional shackles of a lack of education and an inability to participate in public affairs. Women's conferences were held, educational opportunities were created, equality of opportunity, right and privilege was declared to be an essential. [BW11p36].

The Persian Women's Four Year Plan (1946-1950) was launched. Some goals were to:
-Hold literacy classes for girls and adult women
-Hold regional conventions semi-annually for Bahá’í women
-Hold a national convention annually with the participation of representatives of regional committees
-Issue a periodical covering topics of both Bahá’í and general history, science, literature, health, hygiene, housekeeping and care of children

The Bahá'ís of Iraq launched a Three Year Plan (1947-1950). [Ruhi 8.2 p46; BBRSM158]

The goals were:
-To increase the number of Bahá’í centres
-To complete the construction of the National Hazíratu’l-Quds
-To raise contributions to support the National Fund
-To establish ten new Local Assemblies
-To encourage Bahá’í communities in the south of the country

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Egypt and Sudan launched a Five Year Plan (1948-1953). [Ruhi 8.2 p46, BBRSM158]

Some goals were:
- To raise to nine the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies
- To raise to thirty-three the number of localities where Bahá’ís reside
- To send pioneers to Tunisia, Algeria and Libya
- To acquire property for a Bahá’í school
- To issue a Bahá’í magazine
- To consolidate the community in Ethiopia

The Germano-Austrian teaching plan, the German Five Year Plan(1948–53), comprising of internal goals only, was launched. [BBRSM158]

Some goals were:
- To double the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies from fourteen to twenty-eight, increasing the Bahá’í membership in each community
- To raise the number of localities in Germany and Austria where Bahá’ís reside
- To deepen the understanding of the friends in the operation of the Administrative Order
- To encourage deeper study of the teachings
- To construct the National Hazíratu’l-Quds in Frankfurt
- To enrich Bahá’í literature with two publications by March 1949, fifteen by March 1950, six by March 1951 and nine by 1952

The newly formed National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada launched a Five Year Plan (1948-1953). [Ruhi 8.2 p46; BBRSM158]

Some objectives were;
- To incorporate the National Spiritual Assembly
- To establish national endowments
- To increase to thirty the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies
- To increase to one hundred the number of localities where Bahá’ís reside
- To form a group in Newfoundland
- To form a group in Greenland
- To enroll (Eskimos) Inuit and (Native Indians) First Nations in the Faith

Shoghi Effendi announced the Africa Campaign (1951-1953) in a cable to the British National Convention. [BW12:52; UD245–6]

The British community was to lead the campaign supported by the Bahá’ís of the United States and Egypt. [UD245]

The object was to open the Faith to three countries, Gold Coast, Tanganyika and Uganda. Shoghi Effendi termed it "the first International collaboration plan in Bahá'í history. (CG157, 159]

For the objectives of the campaign see UD245–6.

For the importance of the enterprise see UD260–3.

The plan was to be launched after a year’s respite but the British Bahá’ís begin to implement the plan immediately. [CB317]

At the time of the Campaign there was "...since the days of the Blessed Beauty and up to the early 1950s, the activities of the friends in Africa had produced the formation of one National Spiritual Assembly with its seat in Cairo, Egypt, the opening of 12 countries to the light of the Faith, and some 50 localities established throughout its vast lands. It was at such a time that the beloved Guardian ushered in the first African Teaching Plan" [Message from the Universal House of Justice To the Friends gathered at the Bahá’í International Conference at Lagos dated
19 August, 1982
; The UK Bahá'í Journal/History]

The first to arise for the Campaign was Claire Gung who departed from England on the Warwick Castle on the 3rd of January, 1951 bound for Tanganyika. [CG13, 26]

The Bahá'ís of the British Isles launched a Two Year Plan (1951-1953). [Ruhi 8.2 p46]

Some goals were:
- To strengthen the nineteen Spiritual Assemblies already established in the British Isles
- To form nuclei in three dependencies of the British Crown in East or West Africa
- To translate, publish and disseminate Bahá’í literature in three additional African languages

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of India, Pakistan and Burma launched the Indian Nineteen Month Plan (1951-1953). [Ruhi 8.2 p46; BBRSM158; DND148–50]

Some goals were:
- To offer Rs 2,500,000 to the Shrine of the Báb Fund
- To enrich Bahá’í literature in local languages
- To send pioneers to Malaysia, Singapore, Nepal, Vietnam, Zanzibar and Madagascar
- To increase the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
- To enhance the status of the Bahá’í New Era School in Panchgani

Several National Spiritual Assemblies-Britain, Egypt, India, Iran and the United States, join forces in their first collaborative teaching effort called the Africa Campaign (1951-1953). [Ruhi 8.2 p46, BBRSM158, MBW135-140]

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Central America launched a One Year Plan (1952-1953). [Ruhi 8.2 p46]

Shoghi Effendi provided the following advice for the aims of the Central American Assembly:
-To establish harmony, love and understanding among the Bahá'ís
-To promote the teaching work
-To win support for the National Bahá'í Fund
-To assure publication of Bahá'í literature in well-translated Spanish editions in cooperation with the National Spiritual Assembly of South America. [BW12p68-69; Shoghi Effendi: Author of Teaching Plans ]

The Second Seven Year Plan ended with 2,425 localities, 611 local spiritual assemblies, 100 countries, islands and dependencies opened to the Faith. There were 12 national assemblies to this date; [UC43]

The four primary goals of the plan were outlined as follows:
-the development of institutions at the World Centre
-consolidation of the twelve countries where the Faith was well established
-consolidation of all other territories already open
-the opening of the remaining "chief virgin territories" around the globe (131)

For the objectives of the Crusade see BW12:256–14.
Among the goals to be achieved was the construction of the International Bahá’í Archives building. [BBD22; DH168; MBW43]
"the first of the major edifices destined to constitute the seat of the World Bahá'í Administrative Centre to be established on Mount Carmel". [PP264]

To those Bahá’ís who arose to open new territories to the Faith during the Ten Year Crusade, the title 'Knight of Bahá’u’lláh' was given. On 27 May 1992, the Roll of Honour containing the names of all the Knights of Bahá’u’lláh was deposited beneath the entrance door to the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh.

“…Sometimes people strive all their lives to render outstanding service. Here is the time and opportunity to render historic services; in fact, the most unique in history, aiding in the fulfillment of Daniel’s Prophecies of the Last Day, and the 1335 days, when men are to be blessed by the Glory of the Lord, covering the entire globe—which is the real goal of the Ten Year Crusade. [DG54-55]

A map of goals for the Ten Year World Crusade by Shoghi Effendi can be found in Bahá'í World, Vol. 12 (April 1950-1954). Electronic versions, in both medium and large format can be found here.

The achievements of the Ten Year Crusade were celebrated at the Most Great Jubilee in April and May 1963, which commemorated the Centenary of the Declaration of Baha’u’llah’s Mission. Two historic events transpired during that time: the International Convention, convened in Haifa, Israel, to elect the first Universal House of Justice; and the World Congress held in London, England.

See The Journal of Bahá'í Studies Vol 14, no. 3-4, 2004 for the essay The Ten Year Crusade by Ali Nakhjavani.

See CBN No 66 July 1956 in a message dated the 13 of May 1956 Leroy Ioas, (unsure if it was sent on behalf of the Guardian or from the International Bahá'í Council, probably the former), Mr Ioas outlined the three phases of the Crusade; First Phase: open virgin territories, Second Phase: 1. widespread dispersal, 2. settlement in new areas, 3. formation of Local Assemblies and National Assemblies, 4. incorporate Local Assemblies. Third Phase: (open on 21 April 1956, the formation of National Assemblies, with their own Haziratu'l-Quds, have their own endowments and to be incorporated.

The Ten Year Crusade was successfully completed. The achievements of the Ten Year Crusade were celebrated at the Most Great Jubilee in April and May 1963, which commemorated the Centenary of the Declaration of Baha’u’llah’s Mission. Two historic events transpired during that time: the International Convention, convened in Haifa, Israel, to elect the first Universal House of Justice; and the World Congress held in London, England.

For a summary of achievements during the Crusade see BW13:459–60.

For countries, islands and dependencies opened to the Faith during the Crusade see BW13:461–2. (259)

For number of localities in which Bahá’ís reside in different parts of the world see BW13:462. (from 2,000 to more than 11,000)

For languages into which Bahá’í literature has been translated see BW13:462–4.

For races represented in the Bahá’í world community see BW13:464.

For national spiritual assemblies at the end of the plan see BW13:468–9. (from 12 to 56)

The NIne Year Plan was first mentioned by the Universal House of Justice in its message of 7 May 1963 to all National Conventions. In its message of October 1963, addressed to “The Followers of Bahá’u’lláh throughout the World”, the Universal House of Justice first informed the friends that the new Plan would extend over a period of nine years.

This marked the beginning of the second epoch of Abdu’l-Bahá’s Divine Plan. [AWH178]

See the letter from the Universal House of Justice addressed to all 69 national/regional assemblies with details of the plan entitled The Launching of the Nine Year Plan. [BW14:104-123]

The Universal House of Justice launched the Five Year Plan (1974-1979). [BBD181; BBRSM159; BW16:107; VV17]

For the message of the Universal House of Justice setting out the broad objectives of the Plan see BW16:107; Message Naw-Rúz 1974.

Three major objectives:
-preservation and consolidation of the victories won
-a vast and widespread expansion of the Bahá’í community
-development of the distinctive character of Bahá’í life particularly in the local communities.

The Six Year Plan (1986-1992) was launched. [AWH40, 42–4; BBRSM159; VV91]

In its message of 2 January 1986 the Universal House of Justice announced a new process whereby the national goals of the new Plan were to be largely formulated by the National Spiritual Assemblies and the Boards of Counsellors.

See the message of the 25 February 1986 for the major objectives and national goals of the plan. [Mess63-86p717-723]

The proclamation of the Faith entered a new phase from the proclamation of 1967 in commemoration of Bahá'u'lláh's proclamation to the kings to the opportunities offered by the Iránian revolution in 1979 to the distribution of The Promise of World Peace.

The dedication of the House of Worship in New Delhi.

The emergence of the Faith from obscurity.

The increase in the number of projects of social and economic development.

The involvement of youth in the service to the Faith. The concept of the "year of service" was initiated.

The advances in the consolidation of the Bahá'í administrative as marked by the improvement in internal development and the collaborative efforts of its two arms.

In its message of 26 December 1995 to the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors the Universal House of Justice announced that it will send separate messages concerning the upcoming the Four Year Plan to different parts of the world and will call for the establishment of Training Institutes as an agency of the National Spiritual Assemblies. The Training Institutes will be charged with developing human resources. The Counsellors and the Auxiliary Board members will be intimately involved in the establishment and operation of these institutes. The two arms of the Administrative Order will collaborate in the overseeing of the budget and planning program content, developing curricula and delivering courses. Should there be a board of directors then Auxiliary Board Members may serve on these bodies.

Riḍván 153 – To the Followers of Bahá’u’lláh in North America: Alaska, Canada, Greenland and the United States

Riḍván 153 – To the Followers of Bahá’u’lláh in Australia, the Cook Islands, the Eastern Caroline Islands, the Fiji Islands, French Polynesia, the Hawaiian Islands, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Korea, the Mariana Islands, the Marshall Islands, New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and the Western Caroline Islands

For the definitive report see the publication entitled The Four Year Plan and the Twelve Month Plan, 1996-2001 Summary of Achievements prepared under the supervision of the International Teaching Centre.

In its message to the Conference of the Continental Board of Counselors to launch the 1st Five Year Plan and Universal House of Justice said, "the training institute is effective not only in enhancing the powers of the individual, but also in vitalizing communities and institutions." It went on to say that "The continued development of training institutes in the diverse countries and territories of the world, then, must be a central feature of the new Plan." [Message from the Universal House of Justice dated 9 January, 2001, Mess86-01p763-764]

The Counsellors in all continents met at the World Centre to take part in deliberations on the general features of the Five Year Plan. They were joined by the Auxiliary Board members (849 from 172 countries) who gathered from throughout the world to participate in events marking the occupation by the International Teaching Centre of its permanent seat on Mount Carmel. [From the messages from the Universal House of Justice dated the 29th of October, 2000 and the16th of January, 2001]

For the achievements of Plan see The Five Year Plan 2006-2011; Summary of Achievements and Learning, prepared under the supervision of the International Teaching Centre, published by the Bahá'í World Centre, September 2011.

The core activities delineated for it were:
-Study Circles
-Children's Classes
-Devotional Gatherings
-Junior Youth Groups
-Intensive Programs of Growth in "A" Clusters
-One of the goals was the numerical goal of achieving Intensive Programmes of Growth in no less than 1,500 clusters throughout the world.

The main goals of the Plan were:
- To raise the number of clusters with a Programme of Growth from 1,500 to 5,000
- National Mashriqu'l-Adhkárs to be constructed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Papua New Guinea
- Local Mashriqu'l-Adhkárs planned for clusters. The first five were to be in Battambang, Cambodia; Matunda Soy, in Kenya; in Bihar Sharif, India; Norte del Cauca, in Colombia; and in Tanna, Vanuatu.

See the message from the Universal House of Justice dated 28 December, 2010 addressed to the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors. Other message are:

The Preparation for Social Action programme was implemented under the Five Year Plan.

The programme drew on the learning of three decades of experience of FUNDAEC (Fundación para la Aplicación y Enseñanza de las Ciencias), in Columbia. It was an approach to social and economic development that addressed both the material and the spiritual dimensions of human existence. The programme aimed at assisting youth to understand certain concepts, learn a range of relevant facts, and acquire certain qualities, attitudes and skills that would enable them to promote the well-being of their people in fields as diverse as health, education, the environment, secondary production and community organization.

At the beginning of the Plan, the programme was being implemented in nine countries, Cameroon, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Uganda and Zambia and involved some 1,500 to 3,000 participants. [5YPSumPage94-95]

The Preparation for Social Action programme that was implemented at the beginning of the Five Year Plan was expanded to seven additional countries: Cambodia, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Panama, the Philippines and Vanuatu.

Over 10,000 had participated in the programme with about 1,800 among these who had studied all of the texts available.

In addition some 1,700 individuals serving institutions and agencies of the Fatih in 25 countries had studied a selection the the materials in a seminar setting. [5YPSumPage94-95]

The principal goals of the Plan were to “seek to raise the number of clusters where a programme of growth has become intensive to 5,000 by Riḍván 2021” and to add “several hundred more” to some two hundred clusters that have already advanced beyond the third milestone. [Message dated 29 December 2015 from the Universal House of Justice to the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors.

Empowering Words, by Joanna M. Tahzib-Thomas (2012). Extracts from the letters and messages of Shoghi Effendi for inspiration, guidance, and vision. Includes bio of the Guardian and study guide to the texts. [about]

Power and the Bahá'í community, by Moojan Momen, in Lights of Irfan, 19 (2018). While Baha'i social teachings may have sounded new and exciting a century ago, that is no longer the case today. The problem the world faces is not in the principles that would lead to a better society, but in their application. [about]

Shoghi Effendi: Author of Teaching Plans, by Ali Nakhjavani (2006). Detailed history of the Guardian's teaching plans, their goals and methods; observations about duties of individual believers and Institutions; how to best conduct effective Teaching. Includes Q&A supplement. [about]

Significance of the Four Year Plan, The, by Andrew Alexander, in Solas, 4 (2004). A look at the central documents of the 4 Year Plan (1996-2000) and their relevance to the new century. Understanding these International Plans helps the Baha'i community evolve and expand. Includes overview of the role of these Plans in Baha'i history. [about]

Six-Year Plan, 1986, by Universal House of Justice (1986). Outline of Baha'i goals for 1986-1992, and collection of letters from the House. [about]

Ten Year Crusade, The, by Ali Nakhjavani, in Journal of Bahá'í Studies, 14:3-4 (2004). How Shoghi Effendi prepared Bahá’ís for the 10-Year Crusade; 27 objectives he formulated; impediments to the implementation of some of those objectives; and the place of the Crusade in history as well as future developments destined to flow from it. [about]